Sanford Radiology is a full-service imaging department which includes general radiography, computerized tomography (cat scan), diagnostic ultrasonography, interventional studies and computerized nuclear imaging. Sanford Health is the first in the Midwest and the only health system in the state to offer the world’s most advanced CT scanner—the Aquilion ONE.

Computerized tomography—CT scan

Sanford's radiology department is equipped with a Toshiba Aquilion ONE 320-slice scanner and a 16-slice scanner.

Sanford’s Aquilion ONE is the region's most advanced CT scanner. The Aquilion ONE provides incredibly detailed four-dimensional images of complete organs in less time than it takes for your heart to pump one beat. It is the first CT scanner of its kind in the state and is among just 100 systems available worldwide. Click here to learn more about the Aquilion ONE »

A CT scanner is used to make cross-sectional images of the head or selected parts of your body. CT scanning is a noninvasive, painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT imaging uses special X-ray equipment to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body and a computer to join them together in cross-sectional views of the area being studied. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor or printed. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity than conventional X-ray exams. Using specialized equipment and expertise to create and interpret CT scans of the body, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculo-skeletal disorders.

Where is the procedure done?

Your CT scan will be done in the radiology department by a radiologic technologist. The results of your CT scan will be read by a radiologist and reported to your doctor.

"This technology represents a major advance in the early detection of breast cancer. This program, along with regular exams, significantly improves the level of care we provide for our patients," said Wayne Muth, director of radiology at Sanford Health.

Clinical trials have shown that 39 percent of missed breast cancers could have been detected 14.8 months earlier using the mammography CAD system.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact your doctor or call Sanford Radiology at (701) 323-5210.

Mammography

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. Almost 185,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Only lung cancer causes more cancer deaths among women than breast cancer.
Consider the following additional breast cancer facts:

More than 40,000 women die of breast cancer in the United States each year.

One in eight women in the United States may develop breast cancer.

Breast cancer risk increases with age. The greatest incidence of breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50.

Mammography can detect over 90 percent of breast cancers before they become large enough to feel or cause symptoms.

Breast MRI

Sanford Radiology in Bismarck offers dynamic, contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast which is becoming increasingly useful in the detection, diagnosis, and management of breast cancer.

Over the past 13 years, the use of breast MRI has been increasing rapidly as this exciting technology improves and as data continues to become available supporting the value of this tool in select patient populations. Multiple research studies have confirmed improved cancer detection, diagnosis and evaluation of response to chemotherapy with breast MRI compared with mammography and ultrasound.

Problem solving or next step following an abnormal mammogram or physical finding and a negative ultrasound exam

Assessing for silicone implant rupture

Assessing response to chemotherapy

Nuclear medicine

Nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials to help diagnose earlier and treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders more effectively. Nuclear medicine results are often combined with the results of other tests to help your doctor get a more accurate report of your condition.

How are nuclear medicine tests done?

Scans or images are obtained of various organs or parts of the body following the injection of a radioactive substance called a tracer.
You will lie on a special table with the scanning camera above or below the area of interest.
Each image takes about one minute; multiple images are taken.

When do I hear the results of the procedure?

A radiologist will read your scans and make a report to your doctor. Your doctor may call you or ask you to schedule an appointment to discuss your results.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)

Sanford Health offers positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) imaging services. PET/CT is a medical imaging procedure that provides physicians with information about the body's chemistry, cell function and location of disease. PET/CT is a new imaging tool that is highly advanced. PET/CT combines two different types of imaging, functional imaging and anatomical imaging, into one procedure. PET and CT together produce a more accurate picture of what is happening in the body than either PET or CT alone. PET/CT is a very good tool for detecting cancer and how far it has spread. It can help the doctor decide on the best treatment for a patient.

PET/CT imaging allows physicians to diagnose and determine the extent of various cancers, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy and damage to cardiac muscle after a heart attack. Another primary use for PET/CT is staging the progression of cancer and monitoring the success of therapy.

Sanford director of radiology Wayne Muth said, "PET/CT scans will have a major impact on our clinical evaluations of cancer patients, and in many cases, will enable our physicians to begin treatment earlier and increase the odds for successful patient outcomes."

iVu Sofia Automated Breast Ultrasound Table

Two of the most important steps in breast health care are self-exams and mammography. While mammography remains the primary method of early detection, there are times when a mammogram is inconclusive for screening, such as in women with dense breast issue which can obscure lesions. When further testing is needed, the iVu’s SOFIA™ Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound System can be used to acquire a 3D image of the entire breast in only five minutes per breast. The high quality of the image allows doctors to look more closely at a concerning area virtually.

Overall benefits:

Allows for more comfort and privacy for the patient with minimal technologist intervention

No radiation, compression or contrast injection

Decrease cost of overall exam

Average time takes only five minutes per breast

Sanford is one of only 13 in the U.S. to offer this life-saving technology.

Ultrasound

Sanford Health's ultrasound department is the only imaging center in the Bismarck/Mandan area that offers all ultrasound imaging scans. We offer vascular, cardiac and general imaging services and average over 900 exams per month.

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is the use of sound waves in the imaging of disease. Ultrasound is used to diagnose medical problems, to monitor normal pregnancies and to screen for birth defects or pregnancy problems.

How is ultrasound used for obstetric patients?

Obstetric ultrasound provides physicians with a first look at a developing fetus. More than half of all pregnant women have at least one ultrasound. Ultrasound can confirm the presence of a viable fetus and can verify the growth of the fetus, fetus body movements, breathing and heart rate. It also can help identify problems with the pregnancy.

Identifying problems early can help us determine how to solve the problems in a way that is best for the mother and the developing fetus.

Who performs ultrasounds?

Our sonographers are all registered and cross-trained in each area of sonography.
The registration titles are achieved by completing and passing a national exam. The following titles are held among the staff: